Bubble plasma ionisation probe for analysing liquids by mass spectrometry. A means of a detecting analytes dissolved in a liquid by mass spectrometry is described. Gas flows from a source through a first conduit 105 and thereafter through a coaxial second conduit 103 that also serves as the inlet to the mass spectrometer 102. The coaxial arrangement of conduits is submerged in the liquid to be analysed 301. Using a feedback loop, the gas pressure is adjusted and controlled such that an attached bubble 302 forms at the open end of the first conduit 105. A plasma 305 is provided in the bubble. The plasma is preferably generated by a dielectric barrier discharge between a collar electrode 107 and mass spectrometer inlet 103. Analytes dissolved in the liquid are both desorbed form the gas-liquid interface and ionised by the action of the plasma. Ions formed in this way become entrained in the gas flow and are consequently transferred to the mass spectrometer, where they are analysed.

The present disclosure relates to novel and improved methods of analyzing proteins, peptides and polypeptides by mass spectrometry using ion-ion reactions. More specifically the disclosure relates to improved methods for implementing the m/z selective arresting of ion-ion reactions within the ion-ion reaction cell of a mass spectrometer system during a period where ion-ion reactions are performed.

The present disclosure relates to novel and improved methods of analyzing proteins, peptides and polypeptides by mass spectrometry using ion-ion reactions. More specifically the disclosure relates to improved methods for implementing the m/z selective arresting of ion-ion reactions within the ion-ion reaction cell of a mass spectrometer system during a period where ion-ion reactions are performed.

Systems and methods for loading microfabricated ion traps are disclosed. Photo-ablation via an ablation pulse is used to generate a flow of atoms from a source material, where the flow is predominantly populated with neutral atoms. As the neutral atoms flow toward the ion trap, two-photon photo-ionization is used to selectively ionize a specific isotope contained in the atom flow. The velocity of the liberated atoms, atom-generation rate, and/or heat load of the source material is controlled by controlling the fluence of the ablation pulse to provide high ion-trapping probability while simultaneously mitigating generation of heat in the ion-trapping system that can preclude cryogenic operation. In some embodiments, the source material is held within an ablation oven comprising an electrically conductive housing that is configured to restrict the flow of agglomerated neutral atoms generated during photo-ablation toward the ion trap.

A method for determining in a sample, by mass spectrometry, the amount of one or more analytes selected from the group consisting of 12,13-DiHOME, 3-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), 3-hydroxyoctanoate, 3-methylglutarylcarnitine, 3-ureidopropionate, 7-alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7-Hoca), citrate, fucose, fumarate, gamma-tocopherol, glutamate, glutarate, glycerol, glycochenodeoxycholate, glycocholate, hypoxanthine, maleate, malonate, mannose, orotate, 2,3-pyrdinedicarboxylate, ribose, serine, taurine, taurochenodeoxycholate, taurocholate, palmitoleate, linolenate, xanthine, xylitol, and combinations thereof is described. The method comprises subjecting the sample to an ionization source under conditions suitable to produce one or more ions detectable by mass spectrometry from each of the one or more analytes; measuring, by mass spectrometry, the amount of the one or more ions from each of the one or more analytes; and using the measured amount to determine the amount of each of the one or more analytes in the sample.

Disclosed herein are mass spectrometry sample substrates. Also disclosed herein are mass spectrometry sample strips and cartridges that include a solid phase extraction (SPE) element. The mass spectrometry sample substrates, sample strips, and cartridges can be used in paper spray mass spectrometry to detect and quantify one or more analytes present in a biological sample. Also disclosed are methods for collecting and concentrating one or more analytes from a biological sample, as well as for storing a biological sample that includes one or more analytes. Methods for analyzing the one or more analytes from the biological sample are also provided.

The invention proposes preparing biological samples for spectrometry which contain cell structures and/or whole cells of human or animal origin (e.g. thin human and animal tissue sections) or prokaryotes (e.g. microorganisms), and which require constant relative humidity, in a temperature-controlled gas volume whose humidity is determined by a saturated substance solution, for example a suitable salt solution. The invention exploits a physico-chemical phenomenon called “deliquescence”, which manifests itself by keeping the relative humidity above the saturated substance solution constant with a high degree of precision when a specified temperature is maintained. Pure succinic acid exhibits deliquescence at approx. 99% relative humidity, for example. Since an enormous variety of deliquescent salts and other suitable substances are available, it is possible to find the suitable substance for almost any desired relative humidity, with adjustment of the temperature, where necessary.

A sample support is a sample support for sample ionization, including: a substrate formed with a plurality of through holes opening to a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface; a conductive layer provided not to block the through hole in the first surface; and a reinforcement member disposed inside a part of the plurality of through holes.

An atmospheric pressure ionisation (API) ion source is provided that comprises a heater configured to heat a spray of droplets. The ion source may comprise a target, where the spray of droplets is arranged to impact upon the target. An inductive heater may be configured to surround and heat at least a part of the target. Alternatively, a resistive heater may be configured within a target comprising an electrically conductive tube. Also, there may be provided an inductive heater configured to heat a flow of gas, wherein the heated flow of gas is arranged to heat the spray of droplets.

A method of spectrometric analysis comprises obtaining one or more sample spectra for an aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The one or more sample spectra are subjected to pre-processing and then multivariate and/or library based analysis so as to classify the aerosol, smoke or vapour sample. The results of the analysis are used for various surgical or non-surgical applications.